I thought I knew everything about the Lancaster's business, but I was wrong. I took advantage of my free access to Baudoin's office to make photocopies of some documents, including quarterly reports to the president of Lancaster College, all in Old English.
I know plantations, factories and warehouses. I know about hotels and brothels. I knew about the slave and meat trade. I even know that there is occasional contraband. Of course they hide stuff so it doesn't get taxed, so I don't know about blood sports.
The landed gentry of New Orleans proved to be a complete disappointment. Their unusual taste created a demand for the most horrific scenes. Two or three times a week, men, and sometimes women, had the opportunity to have their debts or punishments forgiven in exchange for a night of fighting.
That is, of course, if they survive.
Ladies and gentlemen, dressed in expensive suits and domino masks, traveled by coach to a villa in Lancaster, walked through a maze of manicured lawns and sat on the slopes of a Greek-style amphitheatre, enjoying refreshments. An entertainer wearing a robe and full-face helmet loudly announces the evening's program.
The arena also employs some professional boxers to ensure the quality of the art of killing.
broken
"Hiss..."
I breathe slowly. I no longer need air, but the cycle of breathing provides the soothing rhythm I need to stay focused.
Changes occurred inside the cabin. It's no longer as ridiculously large as I remember it being when I was a kid. The building only looks more spacious because of some furniture. The cot has transformed into a canopy bed that reminds me of my own bed, before I became who I am now.
The smell of wood smoke and fresh rain is as prevalent as ever. I let the moonlight shine into my skin through the open window and stared out at the endless fields covered with thorns. I didn't recognize them for what they were, I knew they were supposed to look dangerous, but I felt protected. safe. No one can cross this land to harm me. They will be reduced to bloody fragments in the maze-like forest.
I haven't gone out yet. I'm not ready yet.
I continue to breathe. In and out. In and out. I just have to hold on a little longer. Hunger and thirst will not make me throw myself against the bars. I will never see you again.
I've been here two weeks and this has only happened twice.
A jingle interrupted my musings. Harold was opening the door to my cell. I could feel his hungry eyes on my body and I thanked Baudouin again for his parting gift. He had left clear instructions not to touch me inappropriately, and the male vampire had yet to disobey this order.
When I kill them all, I will make sure they die painlessly.
"This is the time," said the beast.
I adjusted my half-mask and tightened the leather armor I wore. They are part of my public persona. To the audience, I am a woman from a Himalayan tribe cursed to taste blood and fight without a sword.
Yes.
How they swallowed all this nonsense I will never know.
We walked through a short corridor to the arena doors. Harold remained mercifully silent.
Wait a few more minutes. I can do it.
The door opened and I stepped across the threshold. The night smelled of sweat, excitement, sand, and blood. Before me, a burly man in a kilt and ancient helmet wiped his injured shoulder with a stained cloth. The carcass of a hungry wolf lay a few feet away.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Demetrius has won his daughter's freedom, can he repeat the feat for his family? Can you help him deal with that damn blood beast?"
handle it seriously.
I raised my eyes to the sky and spotted the purple figure of the Silent Watcher. The twisted paradise came closer and closer to me as I became aware of its existence.
It doesn't judge. That's all I can feel, and that's all I need in this moment. I bathed in the strange light and savored the simple intent of the eyes.
Furious thirst slips in the background, if only for a moment. My only valuable companion is a giant eye in the sky. This explains my current social status.
"Five lives, I have five lives, who will give me a sixth?" No? Five lives! Let the name begin!"
The man grabbed a trident and I finally noticed a discarded fishing net lying around. Baudouin must have been speaking from a Roman point of view because I recognized this as a cavalryman's garb. Then Harold would be a Lannister, a Roman circus master of ceremonies, and I would be an idiot.
The man grunted and rushed toward me, awkwardly pushing the trident out. I easily pushed the sword aside, stabbed the wound in his shoulder, and jumped away.
I licked my bloody fingers for all to see.
"We are already close to a life!" The blood beast taught us another lesson!"
The man howled in agony. The crowd cheered in approval. I want to eat my prey. He tasted sweet. That's what fear is, it brings life to the surface.
I have to be patient.
My opponent has "life". Instead of going for the fatal blow, I just damage them until they drain it. Viewers can spend money to buy an extra life for a competitor, or they can spend the same money to remove one.
To win, they just need to bleed.
For me, the game is slightly different. I can complete combat by moving, but I have two goals: provide entertainment, and use as few resources as possible. If I woke up the audience, Harold would let me eat more of the loser's flesh. On rest days, the cattle arrive a little faster.
If I'm defeated, or if I'm too fast or too cruel, pain and hunger will ensue.
If Harold punishes me for no reason, I will kill the opponent immediately.
There is a balance of fear in our relationships. I succeeded in making myself too valuable to kill and too difficult to control.
Defeated, Retilius finally recovered from the pain and grasped the trident tightly with both hands like an oversized sword. He waved at me threateningly a few times, but I didn't move. I can now recognize the most obvious feints. The man got impatient and swung at my head. I ducked forward to close the distance.
He reacted instantly, lowering his bulky weapon and slamming forward. He's much faster now and I can barely block shots. The impact pushed me back. My arm hurts a little. He immediately pounced on me, but this time, I expected it. I sidestepped his thrusts, jabbing his side with my claws as he passed. Don't go too deep.
When I raised a finger, the man and the crowd yelled simultaneously. I licked it again. Um. I can't wait any longer.
"This is the second one!" Is hope running out for Demetrius? Can he make the monster bleed?"
The monster was the announcer's code for telling me to slow down. Drag the fight. I'm too thirsty, they must understand, right?
As Demetrius stood up, a heavy object was buried beneath his feet with a thud. There was silence on the stage.
Throwing objects, especially weapons, are ground inside, who dares...
ah.
A petite woman wearing a blue dress and a plaid mask waved to me. Her crimson hair bobbed up and down as she giggled.
itself.
The announcer recovered faster than I did.
"Mistress! Will you bless Demetrius?"
She waved lazily and sat down. The sack was well done and all the attention was returned to him, forcing his hand.
"Very well! Demetrius, you have been given a second chance. Do not let this noble assembly down!"
I watched speechlessly as the gladiator picked up the great knife and took another one from his boot. So, no more Retilius' gladiators. Dimachae
Us? If I remember correctly, they are people who use two swords.
I retreated before my opponent. It's obvious he knows how to use these tools. His posture was different and he felt confident. I don't see any breakthrough. I avoided one piece after another.
The third time, I tried to grab his arm, but his second sword darted out. I almost got bitten. His movements are more conservative and efficient.
Melusi
e broke the rules and made the fight more difficult, and it was clear to me that she would not be punished any more for this escapade.
I slid to the side and sprinted to the left. Demetrius caught up with me easily, and I turned around and charged forward. The gladiator was caught off guard and fell. His weight makes it difficult for him to change direction quickly. He waved his arms as I walked past him. The blade scratched my armor, and the blow drew no blood.
I rolled forward, grabbing the discarded trident. When he lunged at me again, I swung the massive weapon and smashed it into his body. He collapsed.
The crowd cheered in approval, pleased with my quick thinking despite my quick thinking.
"Oh oh oh, it seems that our heroic Demetrius still looks down on this bloody woman!" Three are down, and two are left!"
I licked the outside of my fork. There is very little blood. Not sharp. soon. All we can do is wait.
"The trident is not yours."
Melusin's voice once again silenced the intoxicated crowd.
Oh, no, she didn't.
I couldn't say that, so I tilted my masked helmet to one side and threw the spear at her like a javelin.
Melusine's eyes widened in disbelief behind her plaid mask. She barely fell to the ground, the weapon hitting the stone behind her with a loud bang. I threw it away first, just in case.
Yes, it's yours now. It's your turn, you nasty dominatrix.
Melusi
e was shaking with rage, but she had already broken the rules twice for her own pleasure. She was on thin ice now, and she knew it. She sat down angrily and I turned to the fallen gladiator and scoffed.
I made sure she noticed.
Now that my anger had subsided, hunger took over me again. Waiting is the worst. I get distracted easily from cravings, but I really need something to focus on.
I walked for a while, and when my preparations were completed I stood before the panting gladiator.
I'm waiting. Maybe I broke his ribs?
"you!"
They always get the same insults. There is no lily-clad maiden, no incompetent worm, no triple fool. Didn't anyone tell them that variety is the spice of life?
"For my children!" he said, standing up, his voice clear.
The crowd erupted in cheers. The narrative of that moment crystallized in their sick minds.
This is a criminal with good intentions fighting for his family's freedom. There, grim maidens from a tribe at the beginning of time, remnants of an ancient world where women could wield blades as sharp as their tongues.
I do not care. I am Ariana and I am my own person. I will survive and I will go home. I will devour anyone who stands in My way, whether saint or sinner.
The man charged toward me again, but he slowed down. It was easy for me to dodge his chip shots by moving backwards and sideways. I put my hands behind my back to make everyone happy. Finally, he cornered me, stretched out, and I threw the net I'd been hiding.
Casting the net is an art. You have to make sure it lands as wide as possible.
Demetrius recoiled in horror and subconsciously raised his hands. The net caught it nicely and I made a groove in its left cheek with my paw. Yes. We finally come to the conclusion of this farce.
The crowd is now quiet as the final act is about to begin. The desperate man groped for a while and finally managed to escape. He immediately rushed towards me with a desperate roar. I stood my ground as the crowd stared at me with bated breath. As the knife reached for me, I stepped back, grabbed my arms, let myself fall, put one foot against his stomach, and pushed.
This is a neat trick.
The big man was propelled like a derailed locomotive, slamming into the arena wall with a commotion from the metal. I caught up with him immediately. I locked one arm with one leg and the other with my right arm. I pulled his head back and took a deep bite.
at last.
wait. No, that's wrong! I know that stench! That villain named Jasper took the same drug! How...
Magic potion? How? When?
There is a small glass bottle on the ground. He must have drank it while groping offline. But who will give it to him?
I spat it out. With a pale face, I turned around and pointed an accusing finger at Melusi.
e. She was hunched forward in anticipation! I knew it!
"You! You have soiled the blood!"
Murmurs and murmurs arose in the crowd, growing louder and louder. How dare she! How dare she pollute this precious thing!
The pain from braces was crushing me. Harold came over, picked me up, and backed into the hallway.
I need it. I need, need, need.
When Harold brought me another prisoner, I restrained myself from killing the sniveling fellow on the spot.
two weeks later
There was no sign of Melusine, and I can only assume she was reprimanded for her foolish display. The fight was still hard, but I was eating enough and staying awake. mainly.
three weeks later
Facing me was an old French sailor with gray hair and a nose flattened by repeated fractures.
"No, you have to move better. I give."
Marius was popular with the crowd, especially when he used a ridiculous harpoon as a spear. He played dirty and I learned a lot from him. We are in a bad mood tonight and I want to learn a few tricks. God knows I can do better. It's very unladylike, but I'll do anything to survive.
four weeks later
Marius is dead. He was killed by a fallen debtor who stabbed him in the back after the fight. On the bright side, I drank this shameless bastard dry. I had a new boxer, an Italian idiot, teach me how to use a knife.
five weeks later
The Italian tycoon became known as "Benedetti". His knife-wielding skills and rakish appearance apparently made him popular with the widowed female audience. Therefore, I rarely get into fights. We also captured a coolie named "Long". He calls himself a "martial artist." He moves well, but hits too cleanly.
six weeks later
I lost my first match in a while to a desperate fighter who was apparently a somewhat famous cavalryman. He impaled my arm with a suicide attack. The audience loved it. I think he might even survive.
seven weeks later
When I woke up, I saw the familiar red brick ceiling. 496, to be exact. There is little entertainment here.
The cell was made of three brick walls and a metal bar so that my captors could see my quarters, despite their appearance. The only good thing is that I don't need to use the toilet and it's not hard to keep clean. The young vampire had no sweaty armpits, no dead skin. Nor the blood of the moon.
Even my costume had to be washed by the terrified maid after every fight. I had very little reason to take off my clothes, and so far I had cleaned myself up in record time, thus avoiding any spectators.
"I am Ariana, I am myself, I will survive and I will come home."
I repeat these lines every night, even though my heart isn't in them these days. I have accomplished something I thought was impossible when I woke up without a pulse.
I am bored.
I knew, on an intellectual level, that my life was in danger. I also know that I am a prisoner, but my life has become routine. There are just a few changes. Sometimes I was let out to practice with other gladiators as a reward for good behavior.
I learned to move better, I knew where it hurt and what my body could do, but that only covered an hour. Sometimes I get into fights, which are fun but end quickly. The rest of the time, there was nothing to do.
I asked for a book and they gave me a Bible. I guess it's bad humor. I remember the crosses on Brother Gabriel and the terrible effect they had on me. However, when I opened my copy, despite the sacred symbols on the cover, nothing happened.
I thought that now that I knew about the existence of unnatural creatures, I would gain some new perspective on the world by reading this most solemn of books. Unfortunately, I found little interest. It seems like a lot of it is about who fathered whom and which tribe camped where.
disappointed.
Two sets of footsteps approached my door. Harold walked in, dragging a reluctant woman in a maid's uniform. He opened the door and pushed her inside. I approached slowly and she stretched her neck out, but as I approached she grabbed my arm.
I didn't show any surprise and when we finished, she left without saying a word. I opened the folded paper she put in my hand and looked at the contents.
Don't let him transform.
There was no signature on the letter, and I couldn't identify who wrote the bold letters. After a while, Harold came back with new armor. No helmet this time.
"Put it on, come on."
As I walked toward the arena, I knew something had changed. winter is here. The air grew colder and quieter, and the whispers and laughter of the crowd quieted down. As my feet hit the sand, I looked around in wonder.
The noisy crowd was replaced by my so-called benefactor. Mrs. Moore sat on a comfortable throne in the center. Baudouin and Melusin stood on either side. The red-haired witch was smirking triumphantly, and I was now sure that my opponent would be a formidable opponent.
Mrs. Moore glared at me.
"Let the mercenaries..." she paused. Melusin leaned towards her and whispered a few words. Moore thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.
"You're right. Strictly speaking it's not against the rules. Inform Mr. Valtier and he can go back immediately."
Harold nodded and walked to the other door. After a while there came a terrible crackling harmony from the dark corridor in front of me.
What happened?!
The obnoxious sound continued for half a minute, culminating in a sound that froze the blood in my veins: a most savage primal roar. The sound echoed in the enclosed space. Birds were flying in the distance and the world around me held its breath.
The click of claws on cold stone announced the arrival of a nightmare creature. Dark gray skin covered every inch of muscle in the chimera between man and wolf. Even hunched over, it was half as tall as me, and the claws at the end of its long, powerful hands completely dwarfed my own.
What the hell is that!
Should I fight this!?
The creature's yellow eyes fell on me, and it jumped and I moved. I ducked away from the beast, slid under its outstretched arms, and ran my claws along its muscular sides.
It feels like carving in stone!
The monster's hands grabbed the air, and before it could turn, I rushed from behind and kicked it in the lower back. I've used this move before to push an unbalanced opponent into the wall with some success. Now? It feels like hitting a ton of bricks.
The creature turned around and ripped at the air where I had been standing. It narrowly missed me. That thing was fast, almost as fast as me unless I moved. In other words, I will no longer do shows.
I eat well, I don't need charity.
I brought the predatory side of me that defied all reason into the depths of my being. The Lancastrians disappeared, and so did the locked doors. It's just me and the prey.
Big and bouncy. Cause fatal damage. Don't procrastinate.
The monster charged at me, this time stopping just out of my reach and lunging at my torso. I move, using the jump I used to hit the mage.
The enemy missed, but its arm made contact with my leg and I was pushed off course. I barely missed hitting the side of the target's head before hitting it again in the back. This time, the creature howled in pain and reached for its left eye. I don't wait. I jump on it, stick my hands into its jugular, and I pull.
But to no avail.
My claws dug into the rock-hard skin. I struggled in vain for a moment before the monster's claws struck me in the stomach and threw me.
He would make a horrible heart-rending sound when my claws were ripped from his arteries, and another sound when my body flew up.
Are those my internal organs?
Oh my God, this is, oh my God, oh my God, this is...
this is not right.
In panic, I tried to pull my bowels back in as quickly as possible while the beast coughed and attacked. When it was my turn, I was almost done.
Stop thinking, Ariana, about what it feels like to touch your own organs. Hi!
The beast jumped again. So much blood! It killed itself while fighting me, slitting its own throat.
I just have to hold on a little longer!
It moves forward and then...
Mmm, such a tempting bouquet!
I will share it.
The creature lurched toward me, then attacked me. I moved for the third and final time tonight, putting a hand against my stomach to dodge blow after blow, until finally, I tripped.
What's the matter? Why?
I looked down at my bloody body. The wound didn't heal at all. I'm going to bleed!
Taking advantage of my distraction, the monster grabbed my left arm and pulled. When I feel that those things that should be kept in my heart come out, the pain comes again. So intense! I managed to lift my right hand so the beast's other arm was clamped against my torso.
The pain was almost enough to knock me out, and only panic and a will to live kept me from collapsing.
It opens into a hellish mouth filled with jagged fangs.
Oh God! It's going to eat me!
No!
I grabbed its jaw and pulled it toward me. The beast's mouth bit at my finger, a new pain mingled with it, but I had enough time. The creature didn't expect this. No prey wants to come close.
I put my mouth to the gaping wound in its throat and began to drink. The beast shuddered, and it was already too late.
A rush of power and life hit my mind, the likes of which I had never felt before. There was no time to think about any cabin, no time to prepare. I was just swept away.
night. Hunter. Under the light of the full moon, I saw something over the valley. Swallowing a child is an abomination! I filmed it. It jumped towards me. I run. I came to a house. I walked to the cellar door. Something bit my ankle, but I turned and stabbed it in the eye. I ran inside. The beast was too big to keep up with me.
night. Hunter. The blood sang in my veins as I howled in victory. Pale prey and their poor mounts lay dismembered around me.
morning..... Pity. sad. shame. exile.
I pushed the body away and took a deep breath. This is incredible! Of course, it doesn't compare to my master, but it's the closest. I heard the sound of suction and looked down. Beneath the dirt and clotted blood, I was unscathed.
There was silence on the field. Mellusin's face was a mask of numbness, while Maul was lost in thought. Baudouin was pale and sweating.
"That's not fair! Madam, it's a draw!"
"Unless I'm mistaken and your candidate is a moron. How is this a draw?"
"That's enough! Stop arguing in public. Melusin, don't be stupid. Accept the loss and leave."
"But..."
Mrs. Moore's image blurred, and I heard a loud bang and Melusin's face moving back. She collapsed and coughed up blood.
oh.
oh.
Let this moment be etched in my memory until the end of the world. Melusin's beautiful face bore the mark of a human hand, and blood dripped from her poisonous mouth. Whatever God has given us vampires, praise you. ha!
The numbness hit me like a hammer. I ate a lot in a short period of time and got hurt a lot. I can hardly stand still. As I was dragged away, I looked up at the silent watcher.
"Do you like it too?"
Pale light fell on the grass. In the semi-darkness, everything looked the same gray except for the scarlet droplets. I smiled stupidly and shouldered the smoking musket. Who needs a police dog when the clues are so obvious?
I walked forward quickly, fearing that my prey would get into the belly of another animal. This is a huge swamp rabbit! Wait until I show it to Dad. I will definitely break his and Achilles' record. Ariana Reno, the greatest hunter of the Reno family, here I come!
The path passed through ferns and through bushes, and I followed. Within a minute I began to hear the sound of snapping wood and whimpering sounds of agony. Ha, so close.
This is my prey. What a big rabbit!
"Please no, friend!" Don't you recognize me?"
I took out my hunting knife and ended it humanely. Just cut a slice and it will bleed.
"No, Ariana, please, Ariana, I beg you! Ariana, no!"
Okay, everything is fine. I licked the blood because it tasted so good. not bad!
Now I just had to take the body to camp and have it weighed. After I've gloated over its misfortune, I'll ask Achilles to eviscerate it for me.
Its empty eyes can't see anything, which is the strangest thing. It's almost like...
"Hi!"
In the name of all the saints in heaven, what are these stupid dreams! How bad. Who in their right mind would hunt in a bayou at night? Ridiculous. Strutting about in the dark swamp is guaranteed to be bitten by an alligator and drowned in a murky pond. I don't want to get caught doing something pointless like this.
And of course, there’s the little matter of my best friend being murdered. Unfortunately, I couldn't get enough of those nightmares.
I lay there in relative peace. I'm fully recovered from yesterday's battle and cleanup, and although my accommodation isn't comfortable, there's a pleasant feeling in bed.
The hunger inevitably made itself known to me, and like clockwork, two sets of footsteps approached my cage. I have to stop myself from jumping up and down when my donor comes into view. As the door opened, the donor thrust something sparkly into Harold's hand, and he left us, I watched my expression. I allowed myself to smile warmly as I heard the door close.
"Good evening, Anz."
The Cadiz finally made contact.
